| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 3045 | 2016-06-05 | Troop D | Texas Man Charged with Two Counts of Attempted Murder of a Police Officer after Pursuit on I-10 |
TROOP D NEWS RELEASE June 5, 2016 Texas Man Charged with Two Counts of Attempted Murder of a Police Officer after Pursuit on I-10 LAKE CHARLES, LA – A Texas man is facing serious charges after he led multiple law enforcement agencies on a pursuit in Texas and Louisiana. On June 5, 2016, shortly after 3:00 p.m., the Orange County (Texas) Sheriff’s Office notified Louisiana State Troop D of a pursuit on Interstate 10 in Texas about to enter the state of Louisiana. Texas authorities from several different agencies including the Port Neches Police Department, Beaumont Police Department, and Orange County Sheriff’s Office were pursuing a stolen 2012 Ford pickup truck puling a boat and trailer. The Vinton (Louisiana) Police Department was in the process of setting up to deploy spike strips on the stolen vehicle when the driver, later identified as 29-year-old David Henry Mitchel, Jr. of Baytown, Texas, swerved onto the right shoulder of the highway in an attempt to run over a Vinton Police Officer. Mitchel continued to steer his vehicle toward the Officer as the Officer ran out of Mitchel’s path, narrowly missing him. Troopers joined the pursuit west of Sulphur as Mitchel continued east on I-10. Between Sulphur and Westlake, a Troop D Trooper successfully deployed spike strips as Mitchel steered the vehicle he was driving toward the Trooper in an attempt to run over him. Mitchel continued driving east and the Westlake Police Department successfully deployed stop sticks. With rapidly disintegrating tires, Mitchel crossed the Calcasieu River Bridge. Shortly thereafter, the Lake Charles Police Department successfully deployed spike strips. The vehicle Mitchel was driving finally became disabled on I-10 East near the Shattuck Street exit in Lake Charles. Mitchel surrendered without incident and was placed under arrest by Troop D Troopers. Mitchel was transported to Troop D for processing. After arrival, Mitchel attempted to walk out and was stopped. Mitchel then tried to escape forcibly and attempted to remove a Taser from a Trooper’s duty belt. Mitchel was subdued and was transported to the Calcasieu Correctional Center where he was booked. Mitchel was charged with two counts of attempted murder of a police officer, two counts of possession of stolen things, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, flight from an officer, speeding, improper lane usage, attempted simple escape, and attempted disarming of a peace officer. He also faces numerous charges from Texas authorities. No injuries were reported. The Vinton Police Department, Sulphur Police Department, Westlake Police Department, Lake Charles Police Department, and Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office all contributed to the successful outcome of this pursuit.
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